A TEAM of crime-busters in north-west Durham is proving a success after only two weeks.

Derwentside police set up its six-man Divisional Response Unit (DRU) to tackle crime, in partnership with Derwentside District Council. The team specialises in revisiting crimes where a suspect had not been arrested at the original time of the offence.

In two weeks, officers have arrested ten people in connection with offences ranging from tyre slashings to growing cannabis.

Acting Chief Inspector Cath Boyd, of Derwentside police, said: "We are very pleased with the start we have made. It is satisfying to clear up so many offences so quickly. Although it is distressing for people to be the victims of crime in the first place, it makes them feel a lot better to know that someone will be brought to justice.

"We will continue our endeavours and look forward to more arrests in the near future."

The team raided a house in Palmerston Street, Consett, on Monday and arrested and charged an 18-year-old man on suspicion of cultivating cannabis plants. His mother was also arrested on suspicion of possession of drugs, but was released without charge.

On Saturday, May 10, officers swooped on the Royal pub in Stanley and arrested two people, on suspicion of theft of clothes from Asda in Stanley and possession of drugs.

The team has celebrated its first success in court, after a 15-year-old boy from the Stanley area admitted two offences of tyre slashing and asked for 13 more to be taken into consideration.

All of them related to attacks in the New Kyo area during the bank holiday weekend of May 3 to May 5.

Five youths have also been arrested over a burglary at Tanfield School, with three released without charge.

Councillor Alex Watson, leader of the district council, said the project was another example of good partnership between police and the authority. He said: "This initiative is to tackle persistent offenders, who make life a misery for other people."

He said there were indications that the successes would continue.